Household support fund
The Household Support Fund (HSF) has been made available to councils, by the Department of Work and Pensions, to support households in the most need. The current round of this funding runs until 31 March 2024. It is being used to help families with children, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers, and people with disabilities who would otherwise struggle with the costs of energy, food, water and other essentials.
Wyre Forest residents may be able to access this support through several schemes funded by the Household Support Fund.
Act on Energy for help with energy bills and debt or heating costs and repairs. This is for permanent Worcestershire residents with a household income of no more than £31,000, no household savings and someone at home has some form of vulnerability e.g. disability, long term health condition, unmanageable debt. See Worcestershire Household Support - Act on Energy or call their free helpline on 0800 988 2881 for further information.
Pensioners on pension credit should have had a one-off payment already. If you have just started receiving pension credit, you will receive a voucher in the coming weeks, and you do not need to apply. This will be issued to you in the form of a voucher directly by the county council.
Through the Worcestershire Advice Network, help is also available for eligible pensioners NOT in receipt of Pension Credit, people with disabilities or a long term health condition of any age, and carers of any age. Further information can be found at Worcestershire Advice Network
Wyre Forest residents may also be able to access support through Wyre Forest Citizens Advice. Priority will be given to first time applicants and households presenting with the greatest need.
For advice on additional support available through the council and other local organisations, please see www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/costofliving
For information about additional cost of living support from the government, including Cost of Living Payments 2023-24 see www.gov.uk/cost-of-living